Dealing with Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a little thought about issue when it comes to having children, most mothers think that once baby arrives they’ll be filled with happiness and joy, and it’s true that this is the case for most mums, however, some mothers suffer from a range of different emotions that they often don’t expect to encounter once their pride and joy has come into the world, so what causes postpartum depression? And is there any way to prevent or cure it?
Firstly, postpartum depression is a condition that some new mothers encounter, they often become depressed shortly after delivery. It can be mild, or very severe in some cases, but generally there are 3 main types of postpartum depression: baby blues, postnatal depression and what’s known as puerperal psychosis.
Baby blues is the most common form of depression after birth, and actually happens to around 50 - 75% of new mothers. Within days of delivery, new mothers can become very tearful, agitating and slightly depressed with no logical reason. This condition is often considered as a reaction to the birth itself and in most cases is very short lived. Some mothers don’t even class these symptoms as a form of postpartum depression, generally due to how mild they can be.
Postnatal depression isn’t as common, and generally affects 1 in 10 women. Often, postnatal depression begins simply with a bout of baby blues, but it can often progress quickly. Symptoms of this are often feelings of anxiousness, panic, tears and even feelings of failure. Some mothers may even experience random or unreasonable thoughts, pointless or unusual fears, as well as indifferent feelings towards their new baby. This can often be caused, brought on, or antagonized by a range of different factors, such as the surrounding environment, family, personal history or hormones. There is treatment available in the form of counselling and medication, however in rare cases; some women face this form of depression for years.
And finally, there’s puerperal psychosis, also known as postpartum psychosis. It usually happens within the first 3 months after birth and it is a severe mental condition that affects around one in a thousand mothers. The symptoms can include delusions or hallucinations about the baby, extreme depression or even hallucinations. It can strike during the first two weeks after birth, and can severely affect the mother, sometimes requiring professional care.
Postpartum depression can be provoked by a range of different factors; however the exact cause is still unknown. It has been traced to the psychological and social adjustments all new mothers must make to cater for the baby, as well as the changes that occur with the body during and shortly after pregnancy. Prior to delivery, the female body contains an extremely high level of hormones, however, after delivery, these levels drop dramatically. Postpartum depression is a physical condition that often requires a medical opinion or even treatment, as it’s not something women can just pull themselves out of, so understanding is often very much required during this time.
Postpartum depression can be somewhat avoidable, but you can try to lessen the symptoms you may be experiencing simply by doing the things that make you happy. Try doing things around the house to lift your spirits and try to keep yourself occupied. When you can, try and get extra help from your family and friends, even if it’s just chores or general household jobs, it can all make the difference, and soon you might find yourself feeling a lot better as you can finally sink into your new role as a Mother.
